You need to coordinate your program with a remote team. What data visualization tools should you use?
As a program coordinator, you need to communicate effectively with your remote team and stakeholders. Data visualization tools can help you present complex information in a clear and engaging way. But how do you choose the right tools for your program and your audience? Here are some tips and examples of data visualization tools that can enhance your program coordination.
Before you select a data visualization tool, you need to understand your data. What kind of data are you working with? Is it quantitative or qualitative, static or dynamic, structured or unstructured? How much data do you have and how often does it change? What are the main insights or messages you want to convey with your data? Knowing your data will help you decide what type of charts, graphs, maps, or other visuals are most suitable for your program.
-
The aim of the data visualisation chart should be the message you need to convey. The same data can be shown in different charts, but you should select the one based on: - does it make it easier for the end user to understand the conclusion? - what story are you trying to tell? - does the data need to be compared? - can you convey the overall message in 1 visualisation or multiple visualisations to infer? - what are the outliers conveying? - what are the min, max , median conveying?
Another factor to consider is your audience. Who are you creating the data visualization for? Is it for your team members, your clients, your funders, or the general public? What is their level of knowledge and interest in your program and your data? How do you want them to interact with your data visualization? Do you want them to explore, compare, analyze, or share your data? Knowing your audience will help you choose a data visualization tool that meets their needs and expectations.
The third factor to consider is your purpose. Why are you creating the data visualization? Is it to inform, persuade, educate, or entertain your audience? What is the main goal or action you want them to take after seeing your data visualization? How do you want to use your data visualization? Do you want to embed it in a report, a presentation, a website, or a social media post? Knowing your purpose will help you select a data visualization tool that aligns with your objectives and your medium.
When it comes to data visualization, there are many tools available online, ranging from simple to sophisticated, free to paid, and easy to complex. Google Data Studio is a free and user-friendly tool that lets you create interactive dashboards and reports from various data sources. Tableau is a powerful and professional tool that enables you to create stunning and interactive data visualizations. Power BI is a comprehensive and flexible tool that allows you to connect, transform, and visualize your data. Lastly, Plotly is a creative and collaborative tool that helps you create beautiful and interactive data visualizations. All of these tools can be shared online or on mobile devices and provide customizable charts, maps, tables, filters, 3D plots, and animations.
The final factor to consider is your limits. How much time, money, and skills do you have to create and maintain your data visualization? Some tools are more time-consuming, costly, and complex than others. You need to balance the benefits and drawbacks of each tool, and choose the one that fits your budget, schedule, and expertise. You also need to consider the security, reliability, and compatibility of each tool, and how they affect your data and your audience.
The last step in choosing a data visualization tool is to test and evaluate your data visualization. You need to get feedback from your team, your stakeholders, and your audience. How do they perceive, understand, and use your data visualization? Is it clear, accurate, and relevant? Is it engaging, persuasive, and actionable? Is it easy, fast, and accessible? You need to collect and analyze the feedback, and make improvements to your data visualization accordingly.
Rate this article
More relevant reading
-
Data VisualizationYou're working remotely on a data visualization project. How can you collaborate effectively with your team?
-
Data VisualizationYou’re working remotely on a data visualization project. How can you collaborate with your team?
-
Data VisualizationYou’re a remote data visualization professional. What technical skills do you need to succeed?
-
Data VisualizationYou're a remote data visualization professional. How can you build the most important soft skills?